BJP demands civic body repolling in Etah and Etawah

Allahabad, Oct 30 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh BJP today demanded repolling in all nagar palika parishad wards of Etah and Etawah districts, where elections were held on Saturday.

Talking to newspersons here, BJP state unit president Keshri Nath Tripathi alleged large scale booth capturing and malpractices in both the districts, with the "active connivance of police".

He advised the State Election Commission to order repolling without hesitation and pressure, if it felt that malpractices were adopted in the civic elections.

Mr Tripathi said if there were reports of more than 85 per cent polling at any polling station, it should order repolling, ''but under a principle.'' Further, he demanded deployment of para-military forces in Allahabad (West) not only at polling booths, but also roads and localities, ''so that people come out and cast their vote without fear.'' The BJP leader expressed fear the ruling Samajwadi Party workers might adopt "wrong methods" and terrorise the voters not to cast their vote.

Mr Tripathi alleged the Allahabad district administration had called station house officers from outside and deployed in those areas, where a large number of electorate were expected to cast their vote in favour of BJP candidates.

He claimed three such police officers had been deployed on duty from Pratapgarh district.

''SP is still disobeying the model code of conduct and misusing government machinery. SP will be the great loser in this elections, while BJP will corner maximum seats,'' he asserted.

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